Klarinet Archive - Posting 000327.txt from 2000/06

From: "Patricia Smith" <pattiesmith@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Pat Metheny interview regarding Kenny G.
Date: Sat, 10 Jun 2000 22:42:11 -0400

IMHO, I think the main point Pat Metheny is making (I am a fan of his from
20 years back and he is an incredible musician and guitarist, as Roger
pointed out), is that what Kenny G did, superimposing his own playing over
Louis Armstrong's work, and marketing it, was tacky and tasteless, for the
very reason that he had to ride on another person's work to obtain that
market success. The fact that the late Mr. Armstrong is a musical icon in
our society makes it doubly horrendous.
That said, I do think kenny G obtains a nice sound on what is otherwise an
instrument I don't much care for. However, there is much more to making
music than merely sounding good. Kenny G has made a great deal of money
making pop records. There is nothing evil about that. Pop music in and of
itself usually is not inherently evil. However, maintaining that it is high
culture because it is current and what everyone is listening to is out and
out wrong. Playing pop music and then labeling it great jazz is out and out
wrong. This is how I understand Pat Metheny's remarks.
To digress just a little, I find it just a little annoying when a student
only wants to learn what is current and what is popular, and refuses to have
an open mind to other music, such as classical, traditional jazz, folk music
and the many world musics just coming into the Western scene. I try to keep
an open mind and find what is good and use it.
Perhaps one of these days, Pat Metheny will utilize a fine clarinetist on
one of his albums, on one of his tours or in one of the smaller ensembles he
puts together; Eddie Daniels comes to mind, but there are others, as
well...Much of his music draws on such variegated sources as South American
and Carribean music, African drum music, etc., and while it is very melodic
and improvisational, there is a sense of rhythmic creativity as well, making
the listening experience multi-layered.
Okay, enough music critic for tonight. Back to fighting kids...

My $.02

Patty Smith
...who believes that EVIL IS JUST PLAIN BAD!

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